Electric switch.



P. SCHNEIDER & J. 0. DUNFEE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1910.

' Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

- Jive/Z3212! 5 F. SCHNEIDER & J. U. DUNFEE. ELEGTRIG SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 8, 1910.

999,883. Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Wzexs 65:-

UNITED srrAtrEs PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN SCHNEIDER AND JOHN C. DUNEEE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOBS. TO THE VAN DORN & DUTTON COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF onro.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December a, 1910. Serial No. macs.

I To all whom 'it concern;

used. I

Be it known that we, FRANKLIN SCHNEI- mm and JOHN C. Dunramcitizens of the United States, and residents of Cleveland,

county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have jointly invented a. new and useful'Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which we have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it rom other invent-ions.

In the case of electrically operated drills and like tools designed to be handled and controlled directly 'by the workman using the same, it is desirable that means be provided for absolute and instantaneous control of the electric circuit, while at the same time the convenience and safety of the operator in turning the current on and 01f must likewise be considered.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a switch and suitable controlling, or operating, mechanism therefor, for use in the connection noted, which shall accomplish the several results; and to this end the said invention consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly eral of the various mechanical forms in' which the principle of the invention may be- In said annexed drawin s Figure 1, is a [central longitudinal section of a handle member typical of those found in connection with electrically operated drills and like tools and showing within such member our improved construction of switch. with one form ofmechanism for actuating the same; Fi 2 is anend elevational view. of the switch; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same; Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the handle member on the line 4-4, Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is sectional detail on the line l -4, Fig. 4; Fig.5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showinga difi'erent construction ofswitch and actuating mechanism therefor; Fig. 6 illustrates yet another construction of actuating mechanism, the switch being omitted;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of this last con- 'A' that forms a continuation thereof, and is itself designed to be attached to the bodyor casing of such drill, or other similar tool. At the same time we incorporate in this handle structure suitable mechanism for operating the switch by the same hand that grasps the handle. The detailed construction of the switch itself may be first noticed, before proceeding to describe this latter mechanism, of which several variant forms are shown. Referring then particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that the operative parts of the switch are supported on ,a base or foundationB offiber or other insulating material attached to the inner face of the handle portion A. Such parts include two spring clips, or contactpieces 12, associated with which are suitable binding posts 6 for attachment thereto'of lead wires b so that by electrically joining the clips, the circuit will be closed. Clips 12 are se- Patented Aug. 8, 19 11.

cured to the. base B by means of screws b may be removed and replaced without breaking the circuit connections. Closure of the circuit is efiected'by means of a contact piece I) that is carried at the outer end of a pivotal arm B, upon depression ofwhich, such piece bridges the space between a the two clips b. Contact piece b is, of course, electrically insulated from the arm B so that it simply closes the circuit between the clips and nothing more. Arm B is thus pivoted between two uprights b by means of a pivot pin 1) passing through the latter and the rear portion of the arm. The arm, however, extends rearwardly beyond its pivotal axis to permit the introduction between the same and the base B of a compression springb the tendency of which will obviously be to force the contact piece on its outer end downwardly, and thus close the circuit. This action however is conable in out arm. The latter, moreover, is provided on its upper face with a block b forming an off-set adjacent to its axis of oscillation,

across which the roller I) passes as the frame carrying the same is oscillated. Springs 6" tend to, throw the frame B to one side or the other of a vertical plane passing through its axis and so to exert a pressure downwardly upon the arm B in excess of that exerted by the compression spring 6 up wardly againstthe same when in the position illustratedin Fig. '1. The result, accordingly, is to open the switch. Upon the frame being thrown so as to carry the roller along the arm to the other side 0t its axis, the eldest of the same springs is to close the switch.

During the initial sta e ot the rollers movement, its action. to c lose the switch'is resisted by means. of a pivotalcatch B that extends upwardly through a slot 2') in the arm 3 and is drawn by means of a spring h to luring notch Z5 on its rear tace'into engagement with arm whenever the lat ter is raised; it is only, accordingly "after the roller has advanced far enough to knock such catch out of engagement, and thus release the lever, the latter is tree to respond to the tension springs i5 attached tothe roller, and close. As the springs l), by this time, will he snorting their full ten" sion eiiect such closure will he correspondingly and sharp, as is highly desir to prevent arcing and the re sulting hunting out of the contact members. ilhe oi the switch will he similarly sudden, as it is-only after the roller passes over the off-set provided by the hloclr E3 on the upper face of the arm B that the rear end ot the latter is depressed so as to raise the contact piece out oi engagement with the clips. Upon the opening of the switch by the raising of the lever arm, the catch or trigger B again springs forward into operative position. Undue downward movement of the arm, in the closed position Y of the switch, is prevented by means of a stad or post 6 preferably of insulating material, that extends upwardly from the base intermediate between the clips hand the uprights h which support the arm.

While the ioregoing construction oi switch is susceptihle of general application, any suitable means being provided for oscillatmg the trams, that carries the roller, or such oscillation being cficcted directly it desired, in which event a suitable handle might be added thereto, said switch is shown as more particularly adapted for operation SWitC L access by an actuating device capable of being housed in the hollow handle A and so arranged as to be operated by the workman without releasing his hold on such handle.

In the form of actuating device illustrated in Fig. 1, a longitudinally reciprocable rodC is provided, such rod being made up of two sections 0 and c, separated from each other by a block 0? of insulating material. 'llhe inner. end of the one rod-section 0 engages a projecting plate, 5, forming part of the roller carrying frame, and has a lost-motion connectiontherewith. Normally the rod is positioned as shown in said figure, (whereby the switch is held open) by means of a tension spring 0 attached to the outer end of section 0 and to the cap a: that closes handle-A; but when desired, it may be reciprocated inwardly to close the switch by means of a sleeve C slidahly mounted upon the handle and connected with the bloclr c by means of a pin 0* that'passes through longitudinally extending slots a in said handle. llnasmuch as it would be a matter of inconvenience to the operator to constantly maintain an inward pressure on this sleeve sufiicient to overcome the spring 0 which otherwise opens the switch, a plunger 0 is provided in a col lar cthat forms the inner terminus of the sleeve, which plunger is adapted to engage a slot or recess a in the handle'and is adapted, upon very slight pressure thereon by the operators thumb, to prevent the sleeve from returnin to normal position. The engaging races-ct the slot in the handle and this plunger so forti ied. (see i that immediately upon release of pressure on the plunger the sleeve will he retracted by the spring, such plunger sliding out of the slot.

in Fig. 5 we show an oscillatory, instead oi? a reciprocating, meniher for actuating the swina'ine 'rame that o ens and closes the aid member is pivoted to the handle at point at intermediate between its ends, and of such endstheouter one hearse pad adapted to he pressedtoward the handle when the'latter is seized-day the operator while its inner end is provided with an inwardly projecting plate (i having a cam-notch d termed in its upper edge so disposed as to engage the pivot pm of the roller 1) in the trams B and throw, the lat tor in one direction, or the other, as the case may he. A tension sting d normally mtains the memherD in its illustrated position, corresponding with the inoperative position of the switch.

FinallyinI-lllig, 6 is shown yet anothervm riation in the reciprocatory arrangement of actuating member shown in Fig. l. in the structure'thus last reterreddo, an arrange; ment somewhat resembling a toggle is utiliaed to press inwardly a reciprocahle rod E corres onding" with former rod G, so as to against its outer face. The efi'ect of thismovement will be to swing link e over, where it is easily held by the operator, although free to swing back the momentit is released.

The side of the handle case A opposite to the wall to which the switch base B is attached is cut out so as to provide an opening a of such dimensions as to permit the entire switch to be inserted or removed therethrough. As the operating parts of the switch are furthermore directed toward this opening they are obviously presented in readily accessible position by simply removaing the cover-plate a that normally closes the opening in question. In the case of the reciprocable actuating devices of Figs. 1 and 6, respectively, provision for the ready separation of the switch from such device, is found in the terminal headed engaging element 0 or a as the case may be, which is threaded in the end of the corresponding rod 0 or E, so as to be readily removable when occasion demands it. In the type of actuating device shown in Fig. 5, the switch may clearly be removed without more ado upon simply loosening-it from its fastening in the handle base.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention ma be employed instead of vtheone explaine change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims gr the equivalent of such stated means be e ployed.

l/Ve therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as .our 1nvention:-

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced spring clips connected-in the circuit to'be controlled; an

oscillatory arm; a contact 'piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips .to close such' circuit; a pivoted member, a roller carried by sald member and movable along said oscillatory arm across its axis of oscillation; and tension means pulling downwardly upon the free end of said pivoted member, whereby said arm may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired.

2. In a device of the character described, the gmbination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory. arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a member pivotal about an axis below that of said arm; a roller car-' ried by said member and movable along said arm across its axis of oscillation; and a ten-.

sion spring tending to throw said member to. one side or the other of said arms axis of oscillation. I

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit, saidarm being formed:

with an ofiset on its upper face 'toone side of its axis of oscillation; a member pivotal about an axis below that ofsaid arm; 'a roller carried by said member, said roller being movable along said arm and across such offset; and a tension spring tending to throw said member to one side or the other of said arms axis of oscillation.

4. In adevice of the character described,

the combination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled; an

oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a spring connected with said arm and tending thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted to retainsai'd arm .against actuation by said spring; and means adapted to release said catch and aid said spring to actuate said arm.

5. In a device of the character described,

the combination of two spaced spring clips. connected in the circuit to be controlled; an.

oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a spring connected with said arm andtending thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted toretain said arm against actuation by said spring; and a resiliently held element movable along. said oscillatory arm across its axis of oscillation, and .adapted to release said catch.

6. In a device of the character described,

the combination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuitto be controlled; an

oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a spring 'con-, nected with said arm and tending thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted to retain said arm against actuation by said spring; a roller movable along said oscillatory arm across its axis of oscillation, and adapted to release 'said catch; and tension means pulling downwardly upon said roller.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination oftwo spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled; an. oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a spring connected with said arm and tending. thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted to retain said arm against actuation by said spring; a n

or the other of said. arms airis of oscillation.-

' 8. lln a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled an oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit betweensaid clips to close such circuit; a spring connected with said arm and tending thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted to engage said arm onone side of its axis of oscillation to retain the same against actuation by said spring; an ofl'set on "the upper face of said arm to the opposite side of its axis from said catch; a roller movable along said arm and across said ofi'set, said roller being also adapted to releam said catch; and tension means pulling downwardly upon saidlroller.

9. In a device of the character desbribed, the combination of two spaced spring clips connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory arm; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said clips to close such circuit; a spring connected with said arm and tending thus to close the circuit; a catch adapted to engage said arm on one side of its axis of oscillation to retain the same against actuation by said spring; an offset on the upper face of said arm to the opposite side of its axis from said catch; a member pivotal about an axis below that of said arm; a roller carried by said member and movable along said arm across its axis of oscillation, said roller being adapted to release said catch; and a tension spring tending to throw said member to one side or the other of said arms axis of oscillation.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced contact members connected in the circuit to be controlled;

an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said contact members to close such circuit; a pivoted member; resilient means pulling downwardly on the free end of the pivoted member; an element carried by said ivotcd member and movable alongsaid oscillatory memberacross its axis of oscillation; and means for swingin said pivoted member, whereby said osci atory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired. v

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of twospaced contact members connected in the circuit to .be controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and ada tedto fit between said cont-act members to c ose such circuit; a pivoted member; resilient means pulling downwardly on the free end of said pivoted memceases ber an element carried by said pivoted memher and movable along sa1dosc1llatory member across, lts axis of osc1llat1on; and a reciprocable member having a lost-motion connection with said pivoted member, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced contact members connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to it between said contact members to close such circuit; a resiliently held elementmovable along said oscillatory member across its axis of oscillation; a reclprocable member having a'lost-motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired; and means tending to retain said last-named member in position to open the circuit.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced contact members connected. in the circuit to "be controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said contact members to close such circuit; a resiliently held element movable along said oscillatory member across its axis of oscillationga reciprocable member having a lost-motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired; and a spring tending to retain said reciprocable, and't-hereby said oscillatory, member, in position to open the circuit.

14. In a device-of the character described, the combination of twospaced contact members connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said contact members to close such circuit; a resiliently held element movable along said oscillatory member across its axis of oscillation: a reciprocable mmberconn posed of two sections, the one being insulated from the other and having a lost motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory membermay be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired; and a spring connected with the other section of said reciprocable member and tending to retain the same, and thereby said oscillatory member, in position to open the circuit.

15. in a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced contact members connected in the circuit tobe controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said contact members to close such circuit; a resiliently held element movable along said oscillatory member across its axis of oscillation; a reciprocahle member composed of ceases two sections, the one being insulated from the other and having a lost motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to vopen or close such circuit as desired; a handle for reciprocating the member just named but insulated from the section thus connected with said oscillatory member; and a spring connected with the other section of said reciprocable member and tending to retain the same, and thereby said oscillatory member, in position toopen the circuit.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of two spaced contact members connected in the circuit to be controlled; an oscillatory member; a contact piece carried thereby and adapted to fit between said contact members to close such circuit;

a resiliently held element movable along,

said oscillatory member across its axis of oscillation; a reclprocable member composed of two sections, the one being insulated from the other and having a lost "motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired; a handle for reciprocating the member just named but insulated from the section thus connected with said oscillatory member; a spring connected with the other section of said reciprocable member and tending to retain the same, and thereby said oscillatory member, in position to open the circuit; and pressure operable means for reoscillation; a reciprocable member composed of two sections, the one being insulated from the other and having a lost motion connection with said element, whereby said oscillatory member may be actuated to open or close such circuit as desired; a

handle for reciprocating the member just named but insulated from the section thus connected with said oscillatory member; a spring connected with the other section of said reciprocable member and tending to retain the same, and thereby said oscillatory member, in position to. open the circuit; and a pressure operable thumb piece adapted to retain said handle with such parts in position to close the circuit.

Signed by us this 28th day of November, 1910.

FRANKLIN SCHNEIDER. ,JOHN G. DUNFEE;

Attested by I ANNA H. GILL, J No. F. OBERLlN. 

